Perforator for forming telegraphic tape.



C. L. & H. L. KRUM.

PERFORATOR FOR FORMING TELEGRAPHIC TAPE.

APPLICATION FILE) SEPT. 8. m4.

1,182,179. Patented May 9, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

61mm awn Mam,

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8,1914.

Patented May 9,1916

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- km. 5 m

C. L. & H. L. KRUM.

PEHFORATOR FOR FORMING TELEGRAPHIC TAPE.

APPLICAT'ON FILED SEPT. 8,1914. 1,182,179, Patented May 9, 1916 4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

C. L. & H. L. KRUM.

PERFORATOR FOR FORMING TELEGRAPHIC TAPE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8,1914.

Patented May 9, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES L. KRUM AND HOWARD L. KRUM, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO 7 MORKRUM COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,A CORPORATION.

PERF'ORATOR FOR FORMING TELEGRAPHIC TAPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1916.

Application filed September 8, 1914. Serial No. 860,714.

To all whom it may concern lie it known that we, CHARLES L. KRUM andHowAIm L. KRUM, citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago,county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Perforators for Forming Telegraph Tape, of whichthe following is a full,

clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to apparatus for forming telegraph tape and seeksto provide a simple, improved key-board machine for rapidly forming thetape.

The invention consists in the features of improvement hereinafter setforth and illustrated in the preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved apparatus. Fig.2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an invertedplan view of a portion of the apparatus. Fig. 4 is a. detail section onlines 4'l of Figs. 3 and 6. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 ofFig. 1. Fig. (i is a partial plan view with parts broken away and otherparts shown in section. Fig. 7 is a detail section on line 7-7 of Fig.6.

The several parts of the machine are mounted upon a hollow cast-metalbase 10, having a depressed front portion 11. Above the depressed frontportion the base is provided with an opening through which the forwardends of aseries of key levers 12 extend. At their rear ends the keylevers are mounted upona fulcrum rod 13 that is suit ably supported inthe base 10. The forward ends of the key levers extend through a guidingcomb-bar 14 fixed to the base, and

are provided with upturned portions carrying finger keys 15. A cross bar16 is mounted in the base beneath the key levers ;and a series ofU-shaped springs 17 extending be-' tween this cross bar and the keylevers hold the latter-in normal, raised position against the stopflange 18 at the upper front portion of the base.

A series of U-shaped bails 19, preferably top of the base. The bails arepreferably The rearwardly extending arms of inclined downwardly andforwardly from the pivot pins 20 and U-springs 22 interposed between thecross bar 16 and the arms of the bails uphold the latter against a serieof lugs 23 fixed to the key levers. The lugs 23 are variably arrangedupon the key levers so that each key will operate a differentcombination of bails in accordance with the character or signalsrepresented thereby: Each key is, however, provided with a lug foroperating the first bail 19 at the front of the series. N

The inner pivoted ends of the bail arms at the left-hand side of themachine are provided with a series of vertical arms 24 (see Figs. 1 and2) which project upwardly through an opening 25 in the top of the base.A series of hell crank levers are pivotally mounted upon a stud 26rising from the base plate at one side of the opening 25, the bell cranklevers being spaced apart by washers 27. Each of these bell crank leverscomprises a forwardly extending arm 29 and a laterally extending arm 28.The arms 28 are progressively of different lengths, the upper arm beingthe longest and the arms 24 are of progressively different heights, theleft-hand arm being the highest, and the latter arms are provided withnotches as indicated with dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2 for engaging theends of the arms 28 so that the latter are variably 0perated inaccordance with the operation of the key levers. The arm 24 which isconnected to the outer bail l9 engage the upper arm 28 and this arm isnot rovided with a forwardly extending portion. Instead, it is providedwith a rearwardly projecting lug 30 which carries an insulatedspringcontact 31. This contact cooperates with an insulated contactscrew 32 which is. adjustably mounted in bracket 33 projecting upwardlyfrom the base.

The forwardly projecting arms 29 actuate a series of five punchcontrolling bars 34.- Which are pivoted to the forward ends of the arms.These punch controlling bars extend laterally from the arms 29 through aseries of guide grooves formed in anosclllating punch actuater 35, thelatter being mounted at its right-hand end upon a vertical pivot stud 36that projects upwardly from the base 10. A bar 37 fixed to the frontface of the punch actuator 35 extends over the front edges of the punchcontrolling bars 34 and holds the latter in place relatively to thepunch actuator. In this construction, the bars 34 oscillate with thepunch actuator 35 but are free to be moved longitudinally, independentlyof the punch actuator by the bell crank arms 29. The punch actuator isoperated by a double spool, solenoid magnet 38 mounted on a bracket 39that projects upwardly from the base plate. The cores 6 40 of thismagnet are connected at their rear ends by a cross bar 41, and a pushrod 42 is adjustably fixed to the center. of the cross bar 41 andextends forwardly therefrom. The forward end of this push rod extendsthrough an opening in the bracket 39 and engages the rear face of thepunch 'actuator 35. A spring 43 is connected to the punch actuator 35and extends rearwardly therefrom to a stud 44 on the base. This springserves to hold the punch actuator in normal retracted position and inengagement with a stop screw 45 which is adjustably mounted on thebracket 39.

A hollow punch-holding bracket 46 is mounted upon the base in front ofthe punch I actuator and carries a number of horizontal punches 47arranged in vertical series. The punches are preferably guided inopenings formed in hardened steel plates 48 that are fixed to the frontand rear faces of the punch holder. The several punches are providedwith enlarged portions 49, the forward ends of which are engaged by astripper-plate 50. A spring or springs 51 interposed between thestripper-plate and the front portion of the punch holder normally holdthe punches in retracted position with the rear ends of the enlargedportions 49 engaging the rear guide plate 48.

4 The punches cooperate with a suitable die plate 52, which is securedto the front guide plate 48. The opposing faces of these plates arerecessed to form a guide-way for the tape. The base of the machine isprovided with an" opening 53 immediately below the row of perforators inthe die plate 52, and a U-shaped shield 54 fixed to the base ex tendsupwardly above the opening 53 and in front of the die plate 52, so thatportions 70 punched from the tape are directed downwardly through theopening 53. The shield 54 may be readily moved to permit the removal ofthe die plate for sharpening.

The forward working end of one of the 55 punches, that is,"a punch 47 ispreferably smaller than the forward working ends of the other punchesand is designed to form a longitudinal row of perforations in the tapethat are adapted to. be engaged by a suitable o feed wheel. The rear endof this punch is longer than that of the other punches so that it isinvariably operated by the punch actuator35 at each operation of themachine. The other punches are arranged in line with the punchcontrolling bars 34 that are variably controlled, as described, byoperation of the finger keys.- When the controlling bars are in thenormal position shown in the drawings, the punches will be operated uponthe forward movement of the punch actuator 35, effected by the solenoidmagnet 38. But when one or more of the punch-controlling bars 34 arewithdrawn or moved to the right by the operation of one of the fingerkeys, the corresponding punch or punches will not be operated. Asalready noted, each key is arranged to operate the bail 19' whichoperates arm 28 through the medium of the arm 24. The contacts 31 and 32are thus closed whenever a finger key is depressed. These contactscontrol the circuit of the punch-actuator magnet 38, and, when any keyis depressed, one or more of the punchcontrolling bars 34 is withdrawnfrom normal position and the circuit of the magnet 38 is closed toeffect the operation of the punch actuator. In this way, transverse rowsof perforations are punched in the tape to represent the differentcharacters or signals, and, at the same time, a longitudinal row ofperforations are formed in the tape. for engagement with a suitablefeed-wheel.

The roll of unpunched tape is carried upon a rotatable holder 55 at theupper right-hand portion of the base. From the holder the tape passesover the end of a spring-held tension arm 56 and thence through theguide-opening between the die plate 52 and the guide plate 48. Thencethe tape passes over a-portion of the periphery of a feed-wheel 57 whichis provided with shortrounded pins. or teeth for engaging with the rowof longitudinal perforations in the tape formed by the punch 47'. Thisfeed-wheel is fixed to a shaft 58, which is journaled at its lower endto the base 10 and at its upper end in a bracket 59 on the base. A pressroller or wheel 60 is journaled in the U-shaped bracket 61 and thelatter is pivotally mounted on a vertical shaft or pivot pin 62 fixed atits ends to the base and to the bracket 59. A spring coiled by the pivotpin or shaft engages the bracket 61 and forces the wheel-60 toward thefeed-wheel 57. The wheel or roller 60 is provided with seatscorresponding to the pin piece of the feed- Wheel, and the spring heldpress roller serves to hold the tape in secure engagement with thefeed-wheel.

The lower portion of the feed-wheel 57 is provided with ratchet teeth63, which are arranged to be engaged by a pawl 64. This pawl is pivotedon an extension or lug 65 on the end of the punch actuator and extendsforwardly therefrom and a spring 66 extending between the actuator andpawl hold the latter against the ratchet 63. The pawl is so arrangedthat, upon the forward or working stroke of the punch actuator, it movesidly over the ratchet 63 but advances wheel 67. A spring 69 yieldinglyholds the retaining dog in position to prevent the movement of thefeed-wheel, but the teeth of the retaining wheel 67 are so shaped thatthis wheel may be forcibly moved both in forward and backwarddirections.

A back-space feeding device is provided for the feed-wheel and comprisesan arm 7 O pivotally mounted upon the feed-wheel shaft 58 andimmediately above the ratchet wheel 67. The forward end of the arm orlever 70 extends through a slot in the base and a spring 71 connected toits rear end holds it in normal position. A dog or pawl 72 is pivoted onthe arm 70 and is connected thereto by a spring 73. This dog is arrangedto cooperate with the ratchet wheel 67, but, in the normal position ofthe parts, it is held out of engagement with the ratchet by a fixed pin74 projecting downwardly from the base top through a slot in the lever70. The lever 70, most clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6, is also providedadjacent its pivot with an upwardly projecting pin 75 which extendsthrough a slot 76 in the base top, and is arranged to engage a pin 77that depends from the outer end of the feed pawl or dog 64.

In operating the back-spacing device, the forward end of the arm orlever 70 is moved to the rightto thereby bring its dog 72 intoengagement with the ratchet (37. At the same time the pin 75 on thelever 70 en gages the pin 77 on the forwardly feeding dog (51 and movesthe latter out of engagement with the ratchet 63. In this way the tapecan be moved rearwardly or toward the right and an improperly punchedportion can again be brought into line with the punches. To correct theimproperly punched portion, a special key of the machine serves simplyto close the circuit of the actuator magnet 38, so that-all of thepunches are operated to thereby rub out improperly perforated portionsof the tape. The feed wheel is also arranged to actuate a suitablesignaling device so that the operator may know when sufficientcharacters have been perforated to constitute a line. For this purposethe lower end of the feed-shaft 58 is provided with a pinion 78 which isconnected through the medium of an idle pinion 79 with a gear wheel 80.The latter (see Figs. 3 and 4) is rotatably mounted on a stud 81 thatdepends from the base top. A plate 82 is fixed to the lower end of thestud and abuts against the hub of the gear and a coiled spring 83 isfixed to this plate and to the gear 80 and holds the latter in initialposition with a pin 84 thereon against the end of an arm The latter ismounted on a pivot stud 86 and is provided with a tail-piece 87. Aspring 88 connected with the tail-piece holds the arm in normal positionwith the tail-piece engaging a stop pin 89. A spring contact 90 on thearm is arranged to cooperate with a contact screw 91 adjustably mountedon a bracket 92 on the under-side of the base at the top.

The idle pinion 79 is mounted upon the end of an arm 93, which ispivoted on the stud 81 above the gear 80. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) This armis pivoted to one end of a transverse rod or link 94 which extendslaterally therefrom. the opposite end of the link being connected to theshort arm of abell crank 95. The bell crank is pivoted in a bracket 96on the underside of the base top, and its long arm is arranged to beengaged by the extreme right-hand key lever 12. A spring 97 connected tothe rod 91 (see Fig. (3) holds the parts in normal position with theidle pinion 7 9 engaging the pinion 78. A pivoted lock pawl 98 isarranged to cooperate with the notch 99 in the link 94 and a spring 100tends to force the pawl toward the link. In the position of the parts asshown in the drawings, the pawl is held in.disengaged position by a stud101 on the upper face of the gear 80.

The parts are shown in the position assumed when the operator commencesto punch the characters in the tape representing a line. As theoperation proceeds. the gear 80 is rotated step by step in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. Near the end of a single revolution.the pin 8-1 on the gear engages the side of the arm 85 and the contactsand 91 are engaged to operate a suitable signal. .In the constructionshown, they serve to light a small electric lamp 102 which is mountedwithin the front extension 11 of the base beneath an opening 103therein, so that the operator is then notified that sufficientcharacters have been punched in the tape to constitute a full line. Hewill then operate the special key which punches the tape incorrespondence with the carriage return-signal. This special signal isrepresented by the key which operates the bell crank s0 that the link 91is moved to the left to disengage the idle pinion 79* from the pinion78. The spring 83 then serves to restore the counting wheel 80 to theinitial position shown in the drawings. The lock pawl 98 cooperates withthe link 94 to hold the idle pinion 79 "disengaged until the countingwheel 80completes its return movement. The pin 101 on the wheel thendisengages the pawl 98, and the spring 97 moves the pinion 79 back intomesh with the pinion 78. The counting wheel 80 is preferably mutilatedas shown, so that it can only be mmed in forward direction throughnearly a single revolution, and the signal lamp will remain lighteduntil the operator depresses the character return key.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details setforth. without departure from the essentials of the invention as definedin the claims.

We claim as our invention 1. In a perforator for telegraph tape, thecombination of a tape feed, a set of punches, a common actuator for saidpunches and said tape feed, a set of controlling members interposedbetween said punches and said actuator, a set of bell-cranks forshifting said controlling members, a set of pivoted bails having armsthereon directlv engaging said bell cranks, and a series offinger keysfor variably actuating said bails and controlling the operation of saidactuator, substantially as described.

2. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a tape guide,a feed wheel for the tape adapted to engage a longitudinal row ofperforations therein, a. punch adapted to form said row of perforations,a set of selectively operative punches, all of said punches beingarranged in a row transverse to the path of movement of the 'tape, acommon pivoted actuator for all of said punches, a series of controllingbars mounted on said actuator to shift therewith, a set of bell cranksconnected to said bars to shift the same longitudinally into and out ofoperative position, an electro-magnet for operating said actuator, anoperating pawl for said feed wheel mounted on said actuator, a set ofbails having arms connected to said bell cranks, a series of keys forvariably operating said bails, and an additional bail uniformly operatedby said keys for controlling the circuit of said magnet.

3. In aperforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a set ofpunches, a series of finger keys Variably controlling the operation ofsaid punches, a feed wheel for intermittently advancing the tape,actuating devices for said feed wheel controlled by said finger keys,and a back-spacing device for turning said feed wheel in reversedirection to thereby move punched portions of the tape back into theline with said punches.

4. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a tape guide,a set of punches, a common actuator for .said punches, a set ofcontrolling members interposed between said actuator and. said punches,a series of finger keys controlling the operation of said actuator andsaid controlling members, a feed wheel for the tape, means controlled bysaid actuator for operating said feedwheel to advance the tape inuniform distances at each operation, and a back-spacing device forrotating said feed wheel in reverse direction.

5. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a tape guide,a set of punches, a common actuator for punches, a set of controllingmembers interposed between said actuator and said punches, a series offinger keys controlling the operation of said actuator and saidcontrolling members, a feed wheel for the tape, a pawl for advancingsaid feed wheel operatively connected to said actuator, and a manuallyoperative back-spacing member having 'a pawl thereon for turning saidfeed wheel in reverse direction, said back spacing member having meansfor throwing said feed pawl out of o erative position.

6. In a per orator for telegraph tape, the combination of a tape guide,a set of punches,

a common actuator for said punches, a set of controlling membersinterposed between said actuator and said punches, a series of fingerkeys controlling the operation of said actuator and said controllingmembers, a feed wheel for the tape, two ratchets connected to said feedwheel, a normally engaged feed pawl connected to said actuator andcooperating with one of said ratchets to advance said feed wheel, and aback-spacing lever having a normally disengaged pawl arranged tocooperate with the other of said ratchets for reversing the movement ofsaid feed wheel, said back spacing lever having means for disengagingsaid normally engaged feed pawl.

7. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of tape punchingmechanism, tape feed devices, a set of finger keys controlling thevariable operation of said punching mechanism and the uniform operationof feeding devices, a counting member actuated by said feeding devices,a switch operated by said counting member after a predetermined movementthereof, an electric signal controlled by said switch, and meanscontrolled by one of said finger keys for restoring said counting memberto normal position.

8. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a set ofpunches, a feed wheel for intermittently advancing the tape, a set offinger keys for controlling said punches, means controlled by saidfinger keys for intermittently advancing said feed wheel, a spring heldcounting wheel geared to said feed wheel, a switch actuated by saidcounting wheel after a predetermined movement thereof, and meanscontrolled by one of said finger keys for disengaging said countingwheel from said feed wheel to permit the return movement of saidcounting wheel to normal position.

said

' operating said bails,

9. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a set ofpunches, a feed wheel for intermittently advancing the tape, a set offinger keys for controlling said punches, means controlled by saidfinger keys for intermittently advancing said feed wheel, a counting,mutilated gear wheel normally connected to said feed wheel, a switchcontrolled by said counting wheel after a predetermined movementthereof, a signal controlled by said switch, a member actuated by one ofsaid finger keys for disengaging said counting wheel from said feedwheel, and a spring for restoring said counting wheel to normalposition.

10. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a tape guide,a feed wheel for the tape arranged to engage a longitudinal row ofperforations therein, a set of selectively operated punches arranged ina row transverse to the path of movement of the tape, a common pivotedactuator for said punches, a series of controlling bars shiftable withsaid actuator and normally arranged in operative position between saidpunches and said actuator, a set of levers connected to said controllingbars to shift the same longitudinally out of operative position, a setof bails operatively connected to said lever, a series of finger keysfor variably means controlled by each of said keys for operating saidactuator, and a pawl for actuating said feed wheel and connected to andoperated by said actuator.

11. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a verticallydisposed tape guide, a set of selectively operated punches arranged in avertical series transverse to the path of movement of the tape, a commonactuator for said punches, a vertical series of controlling bars, avertical series of levers connected to said controlling bars to shiftthe same horizontally into and out of operative position between saidpunches and said actuator, a set of finger keys, a series of bailsvariably operated by said keys and having arms thereon connected to saidlevers, and means controlled by each of said finger keys for effectingthe operation of said actuator.

12. In a perforator for telegraph tape, the combination of a verticallydisposed tape guide, a feed wheel for the tape adapted to engage alongitudinal row of perforations therein, a set of selectively operatedpunches arranged in a vertical series transverse to the path of movementof the tape, a common actuator for all of said punches, an actuatingpawl for said feed wheel connected to and operated by said actuator, avertical series of controlling bars mounted on and shiftable with saidactuator, a vertical series of bell cranks connected to said bars toshift the same horizontally into and out of operative position, a set ofbails, said bails and said bell cranks having inter-engaged arms ofvarying lengths, a set of finger keys for variably operating said bailsand means controlled by each of said finger keys for operating saidactuator.

CHARLES L. KRUM. HOWARD L. KRUM.

Witnesses:

A. R. CROSMAN, J. G. ANDERSON.

